Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/223368
Sarasota News Leader December 6, 2013 In his Nov. 27 memo to the County Commission, Harmer wrote that Code Enforcement staff met with four of the managers from Bob's Boathouse on Nov. 4 "to inspect the acoustical arrangements and to explain the sound control ordinance requirements. The inspection found the musical speakers were placed randomly and suggestions were made as to how to place the speakers so the sound would be less intrusive to neighbors." A d d i t i o n a l l y, H a r m e r w r o t e , C o d e Enforcement staff received permission from several residents along Montclair Drive to access their properties for sound measurements. Readings taken on Saturday, Nov. 23, between 9 p.m. and midnight and on Sunday, Nov. 24, between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. found the restaurant in compliance on every occasion. However, a lighting inspection from a Montclair Drive address did result in a violation, Harmer noted. UPDATES FROM STAFF In a Dec. 3 email exchange with Barbetta, Polk explained that the restaurant is operating under a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO). "An additional 30-day extension of the TCO was issued on November 27," he added. As part of that extension, he continued, the county's deputy building official "outlined outstanding items that needed completion prior to a final completion issuance. These items included payment of building fees (including road impact fees), site and development certification … shoreline plantings noted in [other staff] emails, water meter and capacity fees, and several building permits. As part of this letter, the County notes the TCO is predicated on the expectation of the remaining outstanding issues being completed by December 30, 2013." Page 23 In a separate Dec. 3 email, Amy Meese, director of the county's Natural Resources Department, explained, "A watercourse buffer exists on site and must be planted and managed. … [P]lantings in this area may provide some benefit relative to mitigating noise over time as the plants mature." Barbetta responded to Polk, "I'm still trying to figure out how they were allowed to proceed with the initial opening without all the building fees, impact fees, certifications, shoreline plantings and various other fees and permits being taken care of first, prior to any TCO, since these aren't minor items … This is very confusing." Commissioner Robinson used almost the exact same words when The Sarasota News Leader contacted her on Dec. 4 about the ongoing issues. "I'm really confused," she said of the situation, declining to elaborate until the board hears the update next week. The News Leader was unable to obtain a comment from any representative of Bob's Boathouse. In the meantime, Michelle Lee emailed Barbetta in a separate note, "We have a box fan on loud, our sliding glass doors are closed, even though we would prefer to have them open this time of year, and yet we still can hear the bass constantly with an occasional blast." She added, "I can now understand how a prisoner of war can be broken down so quickly with noise, lack of sleep and stress. I am at my [wits] end crying at the drop of a hat." %